J. H. Hull Middle, Torrance CA - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on J. H. Hull Middle

J. H. Hull Middle is a traditional public middle school serving grades six through eight in Torrance, a mid-sized coastal city in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. The school sits in a community that mixes suburban residential neighborhoods with significant commercial and industrial corridors, anchored by employment centers that draw daily workers to healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology firms. Families considering this school should understand its academic standing, student population, and the housing and growth context of the area.

The school's most recent state test results show proficiency rates that sit slightly above the midpoint when compared to other middle schools in Los Angeles County. In English language arts, aggregate proficiency across the three grades hovers near the midpoint, with seventh grade performing somewhat stronger than sixth and eighth. In mathematics, results are comparable, with seventh grade again showing marginally higher proficiency than the other two grades. Eighth-grade science proficiency is in line with these patterns. The school's overall proficiency index places it above the median for county schools in similar testing scope, meaning performance is neither high-performing nor low-performing by county comparison, but solidly middle-range. These numbers reflect a mixed picture: roughly half of students meet grade-level standards, while the other half do not. A parent considering this school should understand that students will encounter varied peer achievement and that additional academic support or enrichment may be important depending on where a student stands.

The student body is diverse. About half the school qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly Latino, with sizable Asian and white populations as well, plus smaller African American and multiracial communities. This mirrors Torrance's broader ethnic and socioeconomic mix. Data on English learner enrollment and special education enrollment were not available, so families should ask the school directly about these services if they are relevant.

Torrance as a place has been experiencing active redevelopment focused on higher-density mixed-use housing near transit and commercial centers, driven partly by state housing requirements. Several major residential projects are underway or pending, including a significant multi-unit development with completion planned for 2027. This growth reflects the city's very limited buildable land and constrained housing supply; the consequence is that the median home value in the area remains well above the state benchmark, and rental costs are also elevated relative to incomes. The region's housing affordability is tight, making the school's location relevant to family planning. The city operates a municipal bus system and recently opened a new regional transit center, so families without a car have some mobility options, though Torrance is otherwise car-oriented in most neighborhoods.

The district, Torrance Unified, recently launched a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at two elementary schools, a program that leads to the State Seal of Biliteracy and early AP Spanish credit, and students from outside the zone schools can apply for transfers. In late 2024 the district also refinanced general obligation bonds in a move that will reduce property tax burden for homeowners. Neither event directly affects J. H. Hull, but both signal the district's investment posture and financial position.

The school's enrollment is small to moderate for its grade band, and the student population is relatively stable. The lack of current data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, and course breadth means a parent should reach out directly to learn more about school culture, classroom support, and how the school approaches students who fall below proficiency. For families moving to Torrance or choosing among middle schools in the area, J. H. Hull represents a mainstream public option with mid-range academic performance and an ethnically mixed, economically diverse student body in a community experiencing housing growth and employment anchors in high-skill sectors.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 643%

School 43% · District 63% · ▼ 20 pts below district

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 748%

School 48% · District 60% · ▼ 12 pts below district

▲ 17 pts above state median · ▲ 17 pts above county median

Grade 847%

School 47% · District 56% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▲ 19 pts above state median · ▲ 18 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 647%

School 47% · District 67% · ▼ 19 pts below district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

Grade 751%

School 51% · District 69% · ▼ 19 pts below district

▲ 5 pts above state median · ▲ 5 pts above county median

Grade 843%

School 43% · District 65% · ▼ 22 pts below district

▼ 1 pts below state median · ▼ 2 pts below county median

Science

Grade 845%

School 45% · District 53% · ▼ 8 pts below district

▲ 19 pts above state median · ▲ 21 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 857%

School 57% · District 71% · ▼ 14 pts below district

▲ 8 pts above state median · ▲ 9 pts above county median

This schoolTorrance Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income44%Higher-income51%7 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income42%Higher-income63%21 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income36%Higher-income53%16 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income35%Higher-income52%17 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income39%Higher-income59%20 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income38%Higher-income59%21 pp gap